Another baby killed

PECS, with you 100 % on that

JaneJudge

Recently me and my husband witnessed a lurcher type dog kill a really big deer and it was actually quite frightening.

Lurches have a strong prey drive
They actually make good family dogs due to their relaxed personality around humans but for exercising you have to remember what breed they are

rosie1959

JaneJudge

Recently me and my husband witnessed a lurcher type dog kill a really big deer and it was actually quite frightening.

Lurches have a strong prey drive
They actually make good family dogs due to their relaxed personality around humans but for exercising you have to remember what breed they are

We are very careful with our whippet and only let her run free when there are no distractions of any kind. Sighthounds are the most wonderful companions as all they want to do in the home is snuggle up to you. Ours has a basket full of cuddlies that she’s had from a puppy and has never damaged any of them. She’ll bring them to us throughout the day. But if she saw a real life cuddly outside shed be off. Unusually my daughters little dog was attacked by on off lead rescue bull lurcher. She did what you’re supposed to do in such circumstances which is grab the dog by it’s back legs, something I’ve got no idea how you manage to do. It attacked another dog recently as well.

As well as the status dog in the hands of people with no idea about it’s needs or how to meet them, the influx of street dogs/worse puppies bred in Eastern Europe to be sold to the gullible, we have unscrupulous breeders. Good breeders interview prospective owners, they won’t place with inexperienced owners or people working full time.
Our current two dogs came from breeders with good reputation. They don’t advertise because the pups go to previous owners or people with recommendations.
Sadly, breeding kennels and hobby breeders are coining it. Making the kind of income they couldn’t earn elsewhere
Could breeding be better regulated.

I have had a lurcher before too. This was a bull lurcher actually without an owner in sight. Maybe left behind by coursers? I was just a bit shocked by it, I still am. I suppose I am even naive myself

Our dogs breeder has just done a family tree. The foundation bitch is now 14 and still plays in the dog park with her other dogs. The only puppy she’s sold on that has died had a tragic accident. Apart from doing all the relevant health checks she does everything with the pups during the 8 weeks that she has them. Leaves them on their own for periods of time. Takes them out in the car. Visits people with them.Cuts their claws each weak ( and shows their new owners how to do it). Gives them a variety of foods so they are happy to eat whatever the new owner wants to give them. She’s the most affectionate, confident dog I’ve ever had.. I had a couple of litters from one of my spaniels and thought I’d put a lot of effort into it but I’m ashamed now at how little I knew about puppies (although I kept in touch with their owners so I know they had happy lives). I like bull lurchers in general; they usually seem to inherit the best characteristics of both breed. I do think some rescue agencies don’t do their homework when it comes to rehoming.

My neighbours daughters boyfriend was killed by their dog.
He used to torment the poor thing to upset the daughter, and it was cooped up in a tiny flat.
They found him dead, covered in bites.

That's horrible MissA not sure where my sympathies lie in that situation.

I know where mine are.
They were far too unstable to have a dog; both with their own issues, and had been reported before about the dog, as it was unsurprisingly very unpredictable.
It was found to have pitbull genes, but nothing was done to deal with the whole sorry mess.

Never trust any dog with a baby, those that do are taking a risk, its their choice entirely to do that, it’s not just big or dangerous dogs, a small dog like a terrier with hunting instincts can do a lot of damage.

I repeat, it’s a risk you choose to take, never leave a dog alone in the room with a baby.

I would add, don’t let a young child be close to a dog unless the child has been taught how to treat the dog and you really understand that dog. They can attack in a flash if they feel threatened by a movement such as a child lunging at the dog or, as I have seen, thrusting a toy towards it to ‘play’. The dog can move far more quickly than you can intervene.

Totally agree, GSM - it's a two-way street. Dogs have to be trained properly and supervised around children, but children also have to be taught from a very early age how to behave around all animals, not just dogs. They are not toys or playthings and they need to learn to respect them.

SIL had an Akita/German Shepard cross breed. It was a rescue dog. It was very placid but had been treated badly by its owner. The dog was massive and absolutely beautiful. SIL would never leave GC alone with the dog. In the park one day a woman with a young child asked if she could take a photo of the child sitting on the dog as it would make a great photo. SIL told her she would report her to SS for endangering a child. When she told her dog walking friends, it appears this woman was known for trying to get photos of the child with dogs.

I watched a dog expert on TV some years back who said that nobody should be allowed to have a dog without having completed some training first.

What might seem as unprovoked attack could very well be the result of the dog being put under stress for many years, just because the owner didn't realise the dos and don'ts of dog treatment.

This is the dog breed that killed Bella, not a banned breed, but scary.
www.bubblypet.com/american-bully-xl/

OMG. Why would anyone want a dog like that?

Well, I think small dogs can be just as bitey.
They're often snappy little things that are treated as toys, it's just that they're less likely to inflict fatal damage.

Right on cue, my neighbours granddaughter is staying with her, and has bought her non trained, nervous dog, too.

Cropping ears Is banned obviously. I watched an awful programme about Uk breeders doing this to puppies
Awful people making thousands from litters. £3500 and more a puppy

Dickens

It happens all too frequently. And more often than not it seems to be a particular breed of dog - or its variations.

But we don't know anything about the dog's previous history, how it was trained and the police are trying to trace its former owner(s). Which, if it was chipped, shouldn't be too difficult.

And people have been commenting on other social media sites that they shouldn't have left the child alone with the dog - when we don't even know that they did. A dog can still attack a child even if its sitting with you, and inflict fatal wounds before you have time to pull it off.

But I am concerned that it is nearly always the same type of dog. I know people will say that their Staffie is a gentle creature and wouldn't harm a fly. But a Staffie, like all dogs, can be unpredictable. Like humans, they can have 'off' moments... feel unwell, irritated ( and can't communicate this to you), or just instinctively attack a small sentient being that it regards as another animal.

It's just tragic. Poor, poor child. What an awful end to such a short life. And I doubt this will be the last toddler that is killed or maimed. But I seriously don't know how it's to be prevented...

I have a Staffy and he really is a gentle dog however I would never leave my 10-year-old grandson alone with him..

Iam64

Cropping ears Is banned obviously. I watched an awful programme about Uk breeders doing this to puppies
Awful people making thousands from litters. £3500 and more a puppy

I’ve seen dogs with cropped ears in this country

Why would anyone of sound mind have an animal in the house that is not safe with small humans? Just why? You all talk about teaching children how to behave round dogs, but why have the damn things in the house in the first place?

Dogs have wild genes - they are programmed to kill. They are not toys for children or adults.

We have to teach children about life's dangers (don't touch the iron, it's hot; don't jump down the stairs; don't put your fingers in sockets etc.) but why import an unnecessary danger? Just why?

It makes me furious when these dreadful "accidents" occur - these are adults bringing a danger into the home; and people seem to think that it is a reasonable thing to do? What on earth is reasonable about it?

People talk about being careful with their dog; not putting it into situations that might cause harm; training them; seeing canine psychologists - may the lord preserve me.

It is all madness - the Brits are obsessed with dogs and are prepared to put themselves through endless trouble and expense and put others at risk of physical harm and idiotic damaging behaviours - and for what?

It makes me really cross - these parents should be prosecuted for child neglect, if not manslaughter.

Luckygirl Fantastic post. I wish I was brave enough to have put it so eloquently. I sometimes think if I said I was a mass murderer, I would get more sympathy than if I said I didn't like or trust dogs.
I opened the bedroom blinds this morning and my first morning view was a man picking up his dog's poo. It put me off my breakfast.

Luckygirl3

Why would anyone of sound mind have an animal in the house that is not safe with small humans? Just why? You all talk about teaching children how to behave round dogs, but why have the damn things in the house in the first place?

Dogs have wild genes - they are programmed to kill. They are not toys for children or adults.

We have to teach children about life's dangers (don't touch the iron, it's hot; don't jump down the stairs; don't put your fingers in sockets etc.) but why import an unnecessary danger? Just why?

It makes me furious when these dreadful "accidents" occur - these are adults bringing a danger into the home; and people seem to think that it is a reasonable thing to do? What on earth is reasonable about it?

People talk about being careful with their dog; not putting it into situations that might cause harm; training them; seeing canine psychologists - may the lord preserve me.

It is all madness - the Brits are obsessed with dogs and are prepared to put themselves through endless trouble and expense and put others at risk of physical harm and idiotic damaging behaviours - and for what?

It makes me really cross - these parents should be prosecuted for child neglect, if not manslaughter.

Millions of children grow up happy and contented with a much loved dog in the home. Most dogs do not bite. Most dogs do not bite.

I do not see that I put myself at endless trouble or expense having dogs. I put myself through the wonderful life and love that I get from. my dogs. That my AC and GC get. My AC also have dogs with their children. They are happy and healthy and it's been proven that having a dog is good for a child.

22 people have been killed by dogs in the last 7 years. Not all children. Each one being an absolute tragedy.

At least 1 child is killed a week by a parent or caregiver.

Get some perspective.

You will never convince those of us who have had even one bad canine experience. I agree with Luckygirl, but the dog lovers won’t get it (just like they don’t think their dog smells). I don’t think we are going to reach a consensus on this.

Agreed. It's very odd.